Vietnam begun Phase 3 clinical trials for the dengue vaccine V181

Vietnam has officially begun Phase 3 clinical trials for the dengue vaccine V181, involving 4,000 children and adolescents in the provinces of Đồng Tháp, An Giang, and the city of Đà Nẵng.

The Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with the Đồng Tháp Department of Health, organized a conference to launch the clinical research for the V181 dengue vaccine (Mobilize-1) in Đồng Tháp province.

Over 135,000 Dengue Cases and 26 Deaths Reported

According to data from the Ministry of Health, from the beginning of the year until the end of October 2025, Vietnam recorded 135,515 cases of dengue fever and 26 deaths. Compared to the same period in 2024, the number of cases increased by 28.1%, with five more deaths reported. The southern region accounted for 103,601 cases, making up more than 76% of the total, with Ho Chi Minh City alone reporting over 48,053 cases and 16 deaths.

Associate Professor Dr. Nguyễn Vũ Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, stated: "The cycle and timing of outbreaks are no longer predictable as before, indicating increasingly complex epidemic risks. This year, in particular, the weather has been erratic, with frequent storms and floods."

According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), half of the global population currently lives in areas at risk of dengue virus infection. In 2019, WHO listed dengue fever as one of the top 10 global health threats. Vietnam is among the countries most affected by dengue, with the southern region accounting for over 60% of the country's annual cases.

4,000 Vietnamese Children and Adolescents to Participate in V181 Vaccine Trial

According to Dr. Nguyễn Vũ Trung, Director of the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, the V181 vaccine trial is being conducted across six Southeast Asian countries: Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. A total of 12,000 children aged 2 to under 16 and adolescents aged 16 to 17 will participate, with Vietnam contributing 4,000 participants.

"The launch of the large-scale, multi-country Phase 3 clinical trial for the V181 dengue vaccine in Vietnam is a decisive step in evaluating the vaccine's protective efficacy and safety. It marks a significant scientific, medical, and social milestone toward the goal of practical application to safeguard public health," said Dr. Nguyễn Vũ Trung.

In Vietnam, the clinical study has been reviewed and approved by the Ministry of Health and the National Ethics Committee in Biomedical Research. The trial will be conducted in Đồng Tháp province (at Cai Lậy Regional General Hospital and Đồng Tháp General Hospital), An Giang province (at Kiên Giang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital), and Đà Nẵng City (at Quảng Nam Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital).

The study is expected to begin participant recruitment and public communication activities between October and November 2025, with vaccinations starting in December 2025. Participants will be monitored over a five-year period from 2026 to 2030.

Dr. Võ Thanh Nhơn, Director of the Đồng Tháp Center for Disease Control, shared: "Đồng Tháp has been one of the areas with endemic dengue for many years. We will collaborate with the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City to implement research activities locally, contributing to the journey of developing a new vaccine."